Shaun White settles drunkenness, vandalism charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Nashville judge signed off Wednesday on a deal between two-time Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Shaun White and prosecutors to settle public intoxication and vandalism charges.

Susan Niland, the Nashville district attorney's spokeswoman, said prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges if White completed alcohol treatment, performed 24 hours of community service and paid restitution.

But White appeared in court a day early, and the judgment signed on Wednesday did not include the alcohol treatment provision. After the prosecutor who had worked on the agreement learned of the discrepancy, she talked with White's attorney and they agreed to return to court on Thursday to amend the conditions to include treatment.

Niland said White has shown proof that he already completed the treatment.

The public intoxication charge remains open with White required either to complete 24 hours of community service or to serve 42 days in jail. Niland said White opted for community service. He was scheduled to return to court on Jan. 25 to show that he had completed that provision.

The vandalism charge was dismissed on Wednesday because White already has paid restitution to the Nashville hotel where police say he drunkenly destroyed a telephone. Court documents do not indicate the amount of restitution paid, but the charge was vandalism under $500.

White's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

According to police and witness accounts, White pulled a fire alarm in a Nashville hotel at about 2 a.m. on Sept. 16, forcing all guests to evacuate. He then tried to flee but ended up in the hospital after he hit his head while trying to fight another guest who had called the police on him.

A police photo of White showed him with a black eye.

White later posted an apology on his Facebook page, saying he was truly sorry for what he called his "poor behavior."

White won a gold medal in Turin at the 2006 Olympics and in 2010 at the Vancouver Games, and he is an action sports superstar also known for his skateboarding. He's also a multimillionaire with a clothing line and signature video game.

White expanded his brand last year with a company selling skateboards, BMX bikes and other equipment.

Once the charges are dismissed, White could ask to have his record expunged.